A new trend in the West End is now the selling of Day Tickets. This term is given to tickets that the box office of the theatre sells on the day for that afternoon’s or evening’s performance. Again, it differs from show to show, but usually these tickets are extremely limited (around 10 to 20 tickets) but still excellent seats at much cheaper rate than if you were to purchase them in advance.
Last Minute Tickets
Returns
‘Returns’ is the name given to tickets that have been purchased in advance but, for one reason or another, can’t be used and are therefore returned to the box office for re-sale. This gives the cheap ticket buyer a wonderful opportunity to save some money, as usually due to the last-minute nature, the ticket will be resold at a discounted price.
Street Side Vendors and Other Booths
As well as the TKTS booth, there are dozens of other smaller on-the-day booths and vendors peppered around the West End. These all work in more or less the same way as the TKTS booth in Leicester Square, just be absolutory sure that anyone you are buying tickets from are STAR-accredited.
TKTS Booth
The TKTS booth is situated bang slap in the middle of Leicester Square, right in the middle of London’s theatre-land. Run by SOLT (The Society of London Theatre), it sells on-the-day discounted tickets for musicals and plays currently running in the West End.
Buying on the Day
Not everyone can be this carefree, but if you don’t need to plan your trip well in advance, then purchasing tickets on the day is one of the most effective ways of saving a lot of dosh! The only downside is that you are taking a gamble when it comes to the availability of your desired show.